What is Value Engineering?

Value Engineering is required on all Federal projects, based on agency thresholds. It is a proven process since the late 1940's, practiced internationally in private industry, construction, healthcare, and other applications.

Click here for examples of Value Engineering studies performed by William Easley. Value Engineering is an organized study of functions to satisfy the user's needs with a quality product at the lowest life cycle cost through applied creativity. The process uses a trained facilitator, preferably a Certified Value Specialist (CVS), leading an inter-disciplinary team through six phases (Information, Function Analysis, Creativity, Evaluation, Development, and Presentation) to come up with the best ways to improve projects, products or programs.

What are the Principles and Objectives of Value Engineering?

Life Cycle Cost Effectiveness

Innovative Design

Elimination of waste

Improved communications between designers and stakeholders

NOT Cost-Cutting!

Maintaining Quality

Look at functions, not features

Use a multidisciplinary team

Analyze the cost per function

Don't be afraid to change

Materials can change, but FUNCTIONS remain the same

Identify and remove unnecessary costs

If a design has not changed in 18 years, the product is excellent or management has failed to improve